What is the ruling of Islamic law on abstaining from Friday prayer for the residents of a village that has neither a mosque nor a preacher, and the nearest mosque is at a distance that requires great hardship and a long time to reach, knowing that the villagers work in the city and only have time on Friday to visit the village for farming or tourism? And what do you advise them to do?

Scholars have differed on the ruling concerning a person who arrives in a town where they have family or property: whether they are considered a traveler or a resident. If they are a traveler, then according to the majority of scholars, Friday prayer is not obligatory upon them, and they are permitted to avail themselves of the concessions of travel. If they are a resident, then Friday prayer becomes obligatory upon them if its conditions are met.

Scholars have also differed on the ruling concerning traveling on Friday. The preponderant opinion is that it is permissible before zawal (midday), though refraining from it is better.

If the village is at a distance from your city of residence that qualifies for shortening prayers, then according to the majority of scholars, Friday prayer is not obligatory upon you.

However, if you are a permanent resident there, and the conditions for Friday prayer are met for the people of the village, then Friday prayer becomes obligatory upon you, following their ruling. If the conditions are not met, then holding Friday prayer is not obligatory upon them.

If Friday prayer becomes obligatory, then the khutbah (sermon) is not difficult. It suffices for one person to stand and deliver two sermons that include praising Allah, bearing witness (shahada), sending blessings upon the Prophet (peace be upon him), reciting a verse from the Qur'an, enjoining piety, and making supplication at the end of the sermon. Then, he leads the people in two rak'ahs of prayer.